Youth show off best friends in dog show
DUNBAR – Nicholas Paroda of Uniontown stood to the side of the indoor arena with his dog, Gunner, holding the leash as the 18-month-old Cairn terrier pranced in circles around his feet. Wearing a crisp shirt and a tie, Paroda didn’t appear to be nervous as he waited to present Gunner during the4-H Dog Show Thursday evening at the Fayette County Fairgrounds.
Having presented last year, Paroda said he knew what to expect.
“I just hope Gunner listens,” the 10 year old said, bending over to pet the wound-up dog at his feet.
Paroda said he works with Gunner several hours a week, preparing him for dog shows.
The preparation showed. Gunner was impeccably groomed, his coat shiny and full. But being the puppy he is, Gunner ignored commands to sit, pulling at his leash and jumping against Paroda’s legs.
Paroda’s mother, Dolores, shows dogs professionally and said Gunner is still young and has a lot to learn.
However, she had high hopes for her son and Gunner, as did the rest of the Paroda family who gathered in the stands to watch the competition.
Also waiting to present was Rita Krater, 16, of McClellandtown who was accompanied by her pet, an Australian cattle dog named Snitch.
Unlike Paroda, Krater said she was “a little bit nervous,” having never presented before.
Krater said she spent the day prior to the competition bathing and grooming Snitch, even brushing the dog’s teeth.
Olgamae Hmura, one of the organizers of the 4-H Dog Show, said all of the participants are between the ages of 8 and 17.
The children, divided into three age groups, are judged based on their presentation of their dogs, which includes grooming, showmanship and obedience.
Twelve children participated in the event.
“It’s a lot of fun for them,” Hmura said, noting that it’s also a lot of hard work.
“The kids put a lot of time into it, but they seem to enjoy it,” she said.